Rick Middleton Shines with Four-Point Night in Fiery Win Over North Stars (Feb. 26, 1981)

Boston Garden was buzzing as the Bruins hosted the Minnesota North Stars, but no one made a bigger impact than Rick Middleton. In a 5-1 Bruins victory that was equal parts highlight reel and penalty box parade, Middleton delivered a vintage performance.

In the first period, Middleton helped open the scoring by assisting on a shorthanded goal by Mike O’Connell. Later in the frame, he teamed up with Ray Bourque to set up Jean Ratelle, who notched what would be the final goal of his illustrious NHL career, fittingly on the powerplay.

While chaos unfolded around him in a game that featured a staggering 404 penalty minutes, still one of the most penalized games in NHL history, Middleton managed to stay clear of the rough stuff until late in the second. At 17:13, he and former teammate Joe Zanussi dropped the gloves, each earning five-minute majors. Keith Crowder, however, led the penalty parade with 43 PIM, a mark that still ranks in the top 25 all-time for a single game.

Middleton wasn’t finished. In the third period, he returned to the scoresheet with style, netting two shorthanded goals just 62 seconds apart. One came unassisted, the other with help from Ratelle. Both came while Mike O’Connell was in the box, and both beat Minnesota goalie Gilles Meloche. Interestingly, both Meloche and Bruins netminder Rogie Vachon had earlier picked up minor penalties of their own during one of the game’s many melees.

By the end of the night, Middleton had posted two goals and two assists, all on special teams. He finished +3 and fired four of Boston’s 27 shots. It was a performance for the ages, not only for its offensive brilliance but for its poise amid the mayhem.

About Rick Middleton

Rick Middleton played 1,005 regular season and 114 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1974-75 and 1987-88 with the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins. Originally, he was a first round pick by the Rangers at the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft out of the Oshawa Generals.

In 1973-74, between his junior days and NHL career, Middleton was awarded the Dudley Red Garrett Award as the AHL's top rookie. Playing for the Providence Reds, Rick scored 36 and assisted on 48 for 84 points in 63 regular season games. In the post season, he added 15 points in 15 games with the Reds losing the Calder Cup final to the Hershey Bears.

Left out of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Middleton has been honoured by the Boston Bruins with jersey number 16 retired by the club in 2018. From the start of his NHL career with the Rangers in 1974-75, Rick scored 20 or more goals in eleven consecutive seasons. He had eight years with 30 or more goals and topped out with a career high 51 in 1981-82.

NHL Hockey Card Greats: Rick Middleton [Video]

Bernie Geoffrion Booms Back with 4-Point Game Against Former Team

When Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion returned to the NHL in 1966-67, it wasn’t in a Montreal Canadiens jersey, but rather in the blue of the New York Rangers. After retiring in 1964 following the Canadiens’ playoff run, Geoffrion made his comeback three seasons later. His first game back at the Forum was quiet, but the second? Pure Boom Boom.

On November 12, 1966, the Rangers rolled into the Montreal Forum and left with a 6-3 victory over the Habs. Geoffrion led the charge with a standout four-point performance. He scored once and set up goals by Rod Gilbert, fellow former Canadien Bill Hicke, and Harry Howell. Interestingly, he only fired two shots on Gump Worsley, taking on a more creative playmaker role in his triumphant return.

Geoffrion wasn’t the only former Hab making waves. Reg Fleming, who briefly suited up for Montreal earlier in his career, brought chaos and contributions. He assisted on both Geoffrion’s and Howell’s third-period goals, but not before logging serious time in the penalty box.

In the opening frame, Fleming dropped the gloves with Terry Harper, earning five for fighting. Then in the second period, he tangled with Dick Duff for another fighting major and picked up a 10-minute misconduct for good measure. All that downtime seemed to recharge him, as he contributed offensively to seal the Rangers' win.

About Bernie Geoffrion 

Bernie Geoffrion played 883 regular season and 132 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1950-51 and 1967-68 with the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers. He was the second NHL player to reach the 50 goal plateau, scoring exactly 50 for the Habs in 1960-61.

The six time Stanley Cup champion was the Calder Trophy winner as the NHL's top rookie in 1951-52. He won the Art Ross Trophy twice and the Hart Trophy once. Geoffrion was named a first team All-Star once and was selected to the Second Team twice. Bernie was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 and his jersey number 5 was retired by the Canadiens in 2006.

Ray Bourque's Lone NHL Hat Trick Came in a Blowout Win Over the Nordiques

Ray Bourque’s legendary NHL career included 410 goals, five Norris Trophies, and over 1,600 regular season games. Yet, the Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman only recorded a single NHL hat trick, coming in dominant fashion.

On March 8, 1983, the Boston Bruins visited their rivals, the Quebec Nordiques, at Le Colisée. The Bruins overwhelmed Quebec goalie Dan Bouchard in an 11-5 rout. Bourque scored his 18th, 19th, and 20th goals of the 1982-83 season during a blistering ten-minute stretch in the second period. His second tally, Boston’s sixth of the night, stood as the game-winner. He also assisted on a first-period goal by Peter McNab, finishing the night with four points and seven shots on net.

Interestingly, Bourque would again make history against Quebec in 1991 by firing 19 shots in a single game, still the NHL record for most by one player. The blowout saw big contributions across the Bruins roster. McNab tallied five points (two goals, three assists), while Keith Crowder and Rick Middleton each had four-point performances. Bouchard played the full 60 minutes for the Nordiques, surrendering the 11 goals on 38 shots.

Bourque played from 1979-80 through 2000-01 with Boston and Colorado. After more than two decades of elite play, he finally won a Stanley Cup in his final NHL game with the Avalanche. In 2004, he was rightfully enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

About Ray Bourque

The eighth overall pick at the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, Ray Bourque played 1,612 regular season and 214 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1979-80 and 2000-01 with the Bruins and Avalanche. His regular season game total places him 13th all-time, three games behind Larry Murphy. 

Bourque won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 1979-80 then went on to win the Norris Trophy five times as the league's top defenseman. The longest serving team captain in the history of the Boston Bruins has his number 77 retired by both the Bruins and Avalanche. Ray was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.

Joe Nieuwendyk Makes Calgary Flames History With 5 Goals in 1989 Win Over Winnipeg Jets

On January 11, 1989, Joe Nieuwendyk delivered one of the greatest individual performances in Calgary Flames history. Hosting the Winnipeg Jets at the Saddledome, the Flames dominated the game in more ways than one, setting a franchise record at the time with 131 penalty minutes, while Nieuwendyk let his stick do the talking.

In a wild 8-3 victory, Nieuwendyk scored five goals, becoming the only player in Atlanta/Calgary Flames history to accomplish the feat. His performance was highlighted by three goals in just 1:53 during the second period, a franchise record for the fastest hat trick by a single player that still stands.

Nieuwendyk opened the scoring at 11:45 of the first period, followed by a shorthanded goal early in the second. His lightning-fast hat trick followed, and his second-period shorty turned out to be the game-winner.

While chaos unfolded around him, Nieuwendyk remained composed, one of seven Flames players, including goalie Mike Vernon, who didn’t take a penalty that night. He fired 12 shots on Jets goalie Daniel Berthiaume, accounting for one-third of Calgary’s 36.

This was the fifth of 14 career NHL hat tricks for Nieuwendyk, who scored 51 goals in the 1988-89 season, matching his output from the year prior. Though he never hit the 50-goal mark again, he went on to notch 564 goals over 1,257 regular-season games, also winning Stanley Cups with Calgary, Dallas, and New Jersey.

NHL Record: Fastest 3 Goals

By one player, the fastest three goals in an NHL game was recorded nearly 75 years ago and has the staying power to remain an unbroken record. Bill Mosienko of the Chicago Blackhawks scored three in 21 seconds in a game on March 23, 1952, a 7-6 win over the New York Rangers. All three were assisted by Gus Bodnar.

By one team, the fastest is 20 seconds, set by the Boston Bruins on February 25, 1971 in an 8-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks. John Bucyk, Ed Westfall and Ted Green each scored for the Bruins in a rapid fire third period.

The fastest three goals by two teams in a game is a mind-blowing 15 seconds. This was set on February 10, 1983 in a game between the Minnesota North Stars and New York Rangers. Mark Pavelich and Ron Greschner scored for the Rangers before Willi Plett replied for the Stars. This was all in the last minute of the second period. The North Stars won the game 7-5.

Marcel Dionne Becomes First King to Score 50 Goals in a Season

Marcel Dionne was already on fire heading into the final stretch of the 1976-77 NHL season. Just days earlier, he delivered a two-goal, three-point performance in a 7-5 win over the Colorado Rockies, his 47th and 48th goals of the year.

Dionne Reaches 50 Against The North Stars

Then came April 2, 1977, a historic night for the Los Angeles Kings and a career-defining moment for Dionne. Hosting the Minnesota North Stars in their final home game of the season, Dionne etched his name into franchise history.

He netted the only two goals of the second period, his 49th and 50th of the season, just 1:57 apart. With that, Dionne became the first player in Kings history to reach the coveted 50-goal mark, a milestone not seen in the team’s first ten years of existence. But he wasn’t finished.

Dionne completed the hat trick with his 51st goal at 5:38 of the third period and also recorded assists on first-period tallies by Glenn Goldup and Vic Venasky, finishing the night with five points and eight shots on goal. Pete LoPresti allowed goals 49 and 50, while Gary Smith gave up Dionne’s third in relief during the third period.

Setting The Mark At 53

In the final game of the season in Denver, Dionne added two more goals, numbers 52 and 53 against the Colorado Rockies. While Dionne closed his season with a bang, it was Butch Goring who led the finale with a hat trick and an assist.

Dionne’s 53-goal campaign stood as a Kings franchise record until he broke it himself with 59 goals in the 1978-79 season. That record was later surpassed by Bernie Nicholls, who scored 70 goals in the 1988-89 season, helped in part by the legendary Wayne Gretzky.

About Marcel Dionne

Marcel Dionne could score goals. He finished his NHL career with 731, placing him sixth all-time, ten behind Brett Hull and 24 ahead of Phil Esposito. From his first season with the Detroit Red Wings in 1971-72 until his last full season with the New York Rangers in 1987-88, Marcel scored no less than 24 goals in a single campaign. He reached the 50 goal plateau six times.

Between 1971-72 and 1988-89, Dionne played 1,348 regular season and 49 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers. The second overall pick behind Guy Lafleur at the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft won the Art Ross Trophy in 1979-80. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992.

Bill Barilko’s Forgotten Goal: The Last Tie Game in Stanley Cup Playoff History

Most hockey fans remember Bill Barilko for his legendary overtime goal that won the Toronto Maple Leafs the 1951 Stanley Cup. Immortalized in The Tragically Hip’s “50 Mission Cap,” that goal was not only Barilko’s last but also one of the most iconic in NHL history. It sealed game five against the Montreal Canadiens, capping off a series in which every game went to overtime.

But Barilko’s first goal in the 1950-51 playoffs carries historical weight as well, though it's largely forgotten today. In game two of the semi-final series against the Boston Bruins, Barilko scored Toronto’s only goal in a 1-1 tie at Maple Leaf Gardens. It wasn’t just a clutch goal, it became part of a unique NHL milestone. This match would go down as the last time an NHL Stanley Cup playoff game ended in a tie.

Why? Because of the Ontario Sunday Curfew Law, which forbade starting a new period after midnight. After one overtime period, officials were forced to halt the game. The stats counted, Barilko racked up 21 penalty minutes, but the result stood as a tie.

Toronto, down 1-0 in the series before that game, used it as a turning point. The Leafs bounced back with four straight wins to eliminate Boston and advance to the Finals.

Just months later, tragedy struck. In August 1951, Barilko vanished on a fishing trip in Northern Ontario. The floatplane carrying him and pilot Henry Hudson crashed, and their remains weren’t discovered until 1962, just after the Leafs won their next Stanley Cup.

Barilko’s final, famous goal is etched in hockey history. But his earlier tally in that same playoff run marks the end of an era, the last Stanley Cup playoff tie, forever shaped by curfew laws and forgotten circumstances.

About Bill Barilko

Because of his untimely death, Bill Barilko played a modest 252 regular season and 47 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1946-47 and 1950-51 all with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In four of those five years, Bill helped the Leafs to Stanley Cup championships. In the only season during his time that Toronto didn't win, they took the Detroit Red Wings to the full seven games in the semi-final before being eliminated.

In 1947-48, Barilko led the NHL with 147 penalty minutes, an 18 PIM edge over runner-up Ken Reardon. In 1948-49, two of his five goals were scored shorthanded. In a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on January 8, 1949 at Maple Leafs Gardens, Bill's shortie at 12:17 of the third tied the score at 3-3. The Leafs had been down 3-1 midway through the game before coming back. Interestingly, Toronto's first goal of the game was scored by Ted Kennedy, also shorthanded.

Sabres Legends Shine Bright in 1978 NHL All-Star Game at the Aud

On January 24, 1978, the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium played host to the 31st NHL All-Star Game, marking the only time the Buffalo Sabres have hosted the league’s prestigious mid-season event. Representing the Sabres and the Wales Conference were local fan favorites Gilbert Perreault and Rick Martin, both iconic members of the legendary “French Connection” line.

With just under two minutes left in regulation, the Wales Conference found themselves trailing the Campbell Conference 2-1. But at 18:21, Rick Martin tied the game with a clutch goal, assisted by Marcel Dionne and Terry O'Reilly. This goal sent the game into uncharted territory: the first-ever sudden-death overtime in NHL All-Star Game history.

Buffalo fans erupted once more when, 3:55 into overtime, Gilbert Perreault netted the game-winner with assists from Steve Shutt and Borje Salming. The dramatic comeback gave the Wales Conference a 3-2 victory. Despite the thrilling finish, the game’s MVP honors went to Campbell Conference goaltender Billy Smith, who shut out the Wales team in the first half of the game. All three Wales goals came against second-half goalie Wayne Stephenson.

Perreault and Martin's standout performances on All-Star night were a highlight of a stellar 1977–78 season for the Buffalo Sabres. That year, the team finished second in the Adams Division with 105 points. They went on to defeat the New York Rangers in the preliminary playoff round before falling to the Philadelphia Flyers in the quarter-finals.

The 1978 NHL All-Star Game remains a cherished moment in Buffalo sports history, especially for the Sabres faithful who watched their hometown heroes shine on one of hockey’s biggest stages.

About Gilbert Perreault

Between 1970-71 and 1986-87, Gilbert Perreault played 1,191 regular season and 90 playoff games in the National Hockey League, all with the Buffalo Sabres. He was the first overall pick at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft out of the Montreal Junior Canadiens and was the first ever draft pick of the Sabres.

Gil led the Sabres to the post season in nine consecutive years, reaching the Stanley Cup finals in 1974-75 before bowing out to the Philadelphia Flyers. He reached the 100 point plateau twice, topping out with a career best 113 in 1975-76.

The 1970-71 Calder Trophy winner was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. That same year, his jersey number 11 became the first to be retired by the Sabres. Perrreault was also the Lady Byng Trophy winner in 1972-73 and was named a Second Team All-Star twice.

About Rick Martin

Between 1971-72 and 1981-82, Rick Martin played 685 regular season and 63 playoff games in the National Hockey League with the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings. His time in L.A. consisted of just four regular season and a single post season game.

Like Perreault, he played his junior hockey with the Montreal Junior Canadiens and was a fifth overall pick at the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft. He was the first in Buffalo Sabres franchise history to score 50 goals in a season, totaling 52 in both 1973-74 and 1974-75.

Grant Mulvey's Historic 5-Goal Game: A Chicago Blackhawks Record That Still Stands

When fans think of iconic goal-scorers in Chicago Blackhawks history, names like Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Jeremy Roenick, and Patrick Kane quickly come to mind. But the franchise’s most prolific single-game performance came from an often-overlooked forward. Grant Mulvey.

On February 3, 1982, Mulvey made NHL history by scoring five goals in a single game against the St. Louis Blues at the old Chicago Stadium. It remains the only 5-goal game in Blackhawks history, setting a franchise record that still stands more than four decades later.

Mulvey’s offensive explosion didn’t stop with just goals, he added two assists, bringing his total to seven points, a mark that ties the Blackhawks' single-game record held by Max Bentley since 1943. Even more impressively, Mulvey netted four of his goals in the first period, tying an NHL record for most goals in a single period, a feat matched by only 17 other players in league history.

The final score of the game was 9-5 in favor of Chicago, with Mulvey directly contributing to nearly 80% of the team’s goals. Despite a game riddled with penalties, over 100 minutes were handed out, only one of his five goals came on the power play. He also recorded a natural hat trick, scoring three consecutive goals to close out the first period.

Mulvey's historic night was part of a standout performance by the entire team. TerryRuskowski tallied five assists, AlSecord added two goals and two assists, and DaveHutchison completed a Gordie Howe Hat Trick with a goal, assist, and a third-period fight with Jim Nill.

The 1981-82 NHL season would be Mulvey’s last full campaign. He scored 30 goals over 73 games, one of five Blackhawks to reach the 30-goal milestone that year. Mulvey played only 15 more NHL games, three more with Chicago the following season, and 12 with the New Jersey Devils in 1983-84 before retiring from the league.

While Mulvey may not be a household name, his unforgettable night in 1982 secured his place in Chicago Blackhawks history as the lone player to ever score five goals in a game, a record still unmatched by even the greatest names to wear the Blackhawks sweater.

About Grant Mulvey

Grant Mulvey was a first round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks at the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft after just a single year of major junior with the Calgary Centennials. He jumped straight to the Hawks for the 1974-75 NHL season and didn't see time in the minors until the tail end of his playing career.

Mulvey played 586 regular season and 42 playoff games in the National Hockey League between 1974-75 and 1983-84. All but 12 of those games were played with the Chicago Blackhawks, finishing up his NHL career with a short stint with the New Jersey Devils in 1983-84.

By far his career season was 1979-80 when Grant scored 39 goals for Chicago and totaled 65 points. He capped off his pro career with a Calder Cup win in the AHL with the Maine Mariners in 1983-84. He would later coach the Chicago Wolves in the IHL for a short time in the 1990's.

Danny Gare: The NHL's Rookie Sensation Who Made History in Just 18 Seconds!

On October 10, 1974, the Buffalo Sabres faced off against the Boston Bruins at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, marking the commencement of the 1974-75 season. DannyGare, selected in the second round, had already showcased his prowess with an impressive 68-goal season in the WHL playing for the Calgary Centennials, and now, he was poised to leave his mark in the NHL.

And leave his mark, he certainly did. Just 18 seconds into the game, Gare netted his inaugural NHL goal, receiving assists from Craig Ramsay and Don Luce against Boston's goaltender, Gilles Gilbert. As if that weren't enough, Gare also contributed an assist on Ramsay's goal during the second period, culminating in a two-point performance for the rookie.

This feat remains the second fastest goal scored at the start of an NHL career, with Gus Bodnar of the Toronto Maple Leafs holding the record for a 15-second goal during his debut on October 30, 1943, against the New York Rangers. Alex Mogilny came close to Gare's record, scoring at the 20-second mark during his first game with the Sabres in the 1989-90 season.

Gare's scoring prowess didn't diminish throughout the season. He concluded the campaign with 31 goals and 31 assists, totaling 62 points. Moreover, he added seven more goals during the playoffs, where the Sabres advanced to the final before falling to the Philadelphia Flyers. Gare's exceptional performance earned him third place in the Calder Trophy voting for NHL rookie of the year, trailing behind Eric Vail and Pierre Larouche.

Entering his second season, Gare defied any notions of a sophomore slump. In the 1975-76 season, he notched an impressive 50 goals, becoming only the second player in Sabres history to achieve this milestone. Rick Martin held the record with 52 goals in the 1973-74 season. Gare, Martin, Alex Mogilny, and Pat Lafontaine stand as the only four players in franchise history to surpass the 50-goal mark in a single season, with Gare and Martin accomplishing this feat twice.

Follow the conversation on Facebook:

The Miracle in Minnesota: Mario Lessard's 65-Save Masterpiece

Adding to the awe of this tale is the fact that it unfolded under the watch of a goaltender boasting a career .875 save percentage in the NHL.

On the evening of March 24, 1981, Mario Lessard and the Los Angeles Kings descended upon the Met Center for an away fixture against the Minnesota North Stars. In terms of standings, the Kings held the advantage with 40 victories to Minnesota's 32.

The North Stars unleashed a barrage of 68 shots at Lessard, yet he managed to repel 65 of them. Minnesota surged to a 2-0 lead in the second period, only for Los Angeles to stage a remarkable comeback, tallying four unanswered goals. Ultimately, the Kings emerged triumphant with a narrow 4-3 victory.

Lessard's 65 saves remain unparalleled in a winning effort. While Ron Tugnutt later recorded a 70-save performance, it resulted in a tie. Notably, Lessard's feat eclipsed the NHL record of 64 saves, previously held by Joe Daley of the Buffalo Sabres in a 1970 contest against the Boston Bruins, which ended in an 8-2 defeat.

Larry Murphy and Jimmy Fox spearheaded the Kings' offensive charge, each contributing a goal and an assist. Meanwhile, Bobby Smith notched a goal and two assists for the North Stars, with Dino Ciccarelli leading their offensive onslaught with eight shots.

On the opposing end, Don Beaupre had a relatively uneventful evening, facing only 19 shots on goal. However, this relaxation may have proven detrimental, as he conceded four goals.

Mario Lessard's tenure in the NHL spanned 240 regular-season games and 20 playoff appearances, all with the Kings, from 1978-79 to 1983-84.

Mario Lessard Los Angeles Kings 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee 389 [YouTube Shorts]